Make This Heavenly Classic Carrot Cake Recipe Today!

Whipping up a delectable classic carrot cake can transport you to a world of comfort and nostalgia.

Sweet memories flood back with each slice of this timeless dessert.

Layers of moist, spiced batter studded with grated carrots create a symphony of flavors.

Warm cinnamon and nutmeg dance alongside creamy cream cheese frosting, promising an irresistible treat.

Nuts add a delightful crunch that elevates the entire experience.

Home bakers and dessert enthusiasts will find pure joy in this straightforward yet magical recipe.

You won’t be able to resist cutting a generous slice and savoring every single bite.

Everything You’ll Need for the Classic Carrot Cake

• Flour: The base of the cake, providing structure and texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for a light, fluffy cake.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Warm spices that give the cake its classic carrot cake flavor profile.

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender, better than butter for this recipe.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help with moisture and texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aromatic flavor to the cake.

• Shredded Carrots: The star ingredient, adding moisture and natural sweetness.
• Pineapple: Provides extra moisture and subtle tropical flavor.
• Nuts, Raisins: Optional add-ins for texture and additional flavor complexity.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a rich, smooth base for the classic cream cheese frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
• Vanilla Extract, Salt: Balance and enhance the frosting's flavor.

Directions for Baking the Best Classic Carrot Cake

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Crank up the oven to 350°F. Grab your cake pan and give it a generous butter massage. Line the bottom with parchment paper for a smooth cake release.

Step 2: Craft Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground ginger

Whisk these ingredients until they’re perfectly mingled.

Step 3: Create Wet Ingredient Symphony

• Vegetable oil
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Whip until the mixture looks silky and harmonious.

Step 4: Marry The Mixtures

• Freshly grated carrots
• Crushed pineapple
• Chopped walnuts
• Raisins

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pan. Slide into preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean.

Step 6: Cool Down Stage

Let cake rest in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and allow complete cooling.

Step 7: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter

Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and tiny salt pinch. Blend until cloud-like and fluffy.

Step 8: Dress Your Cake

Spread frosting between layers and all over cake. Sprinkle with extra nuts or carrot shreds for stunning presentation.

Carrot Cake Tips That Make a Difference

• Customize Moisture Levels: Add extra pineapple or applesauce to increase cake's moisture and prevent dryness during baking.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast nuts before adding to batter to release richer, deeper nutty undertones and improve overall taste profile.
• Simplify Dietary Modifications: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free alternatives and use coconut oil for dairy-free or vegan versions of the cake.
• Control Sweetness Balance: Reduce granulated sugar by 1/4 cup and substitute with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a more subtle sweetness.
• Optimize Cream Cheese Frosting: Ensure cream cheese and butter are room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily on the cake layers.

Keeping Your Classic Carrot Cake Fresh

• Store leftover carrot cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Slice the cake before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays fresh for 2-3 months.
• Remove frozen cake slices from the freezer and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight. For quicker thawing, leave at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Add a small dollop of frosting to refresh the cake's moisture after reheating.

Best Pairings for Classic Carrot Cake

• Pair the carrot cake with a chilled glass of cream liqueur like Baileys Irish Cream, which complements the cake's rich cream cheese frosting and adds a smooth, velvety texture to each bite.
• Match the cake with a warm, spicy chai tea that echoes the cake's cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger notes, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and aromatic flavors.
• Serve alongside a small serving of vanilla bourbon, whose sweet and oak-aged characteristics beautifully highlight the cake's warm spices and nutty undertones.
• Accompany the dessert with a light, refreshing orange or lemon sorbet to cut through the cake's richness and provide a palate-cleansing citrus burst.

Classic Carrot Cake Recipe Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Carrot Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend to make the cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Carrot Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, use coconut oil instead of butter, and create a dairy-free cream cheese frosting using cashew or coconut cream.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the cake's delicious flavor profile.
• Nut-Free Version: Omit nuts completely and add extra seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for texture, ensuring the cake is safe for those with nut allergies.

Carrot Cake Recipe FAQs Answered

• Is carrot cake healthy?

While carrot cake contains vegetables, it’s still a dessert high in sugar and calories. The carrots add some nutritional value with vitamins and fiber, but it shouldn’t be considered a health food.

• Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use a blend that includes xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

• Why do some carrot cake recipes include pineapple?

Pineapple adds moisture and natural sweetness to the cake. It helps keep the cake tender and adds a subtle tropical flavor that complements the carrots and spices.

• Do I need to use a stand mixer for this recipe?

No, you can easily mix this cake by hand using a whisk or electric hand mixer. The key is to mix ingredients until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake tough.

Why This Classic Carrot Cake Recipe Deserves a Spot on Your Table

• Quick and Easy Homemade Delight
• Requires basic kitchen ingredients and simple mixing technique, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Adaptable recipe that works for birthdays, potlucks, family gatherings, or just a sweet weekend treat.
• Packed with carrots, nuts, and optional pineapple, offering a sneaky way to enjoy a vegetable-rich dessert that doesn't taste healthy.
• Standard 30-35 minute baking time and straightforward instructions make this cake foolproof for novice and experienced bakers alike.

Classic Carrot Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent “classic carrot cake” brings warmth from grandma’s kitchen, blending sweet spices with tender crumb. Moist layers crowned with cream cheese frosting invite dessert lovers to savor each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

Primary Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients and Mix-ins:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups (300 grams) grated carrots
• 1 cup (100 grams) chopped walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup (120 grams) crushed pineapple, drained

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and preparing cake pans with grease and parchment paper for effortless cake release.
2. Create a dry ingredient mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, leavening agents, aromatic spices, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl until perfectly integrated.
3. Whip the liquid components vigorously, blending vegetable oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a silky, homogeneous texture.
4. Merge the dry and wet ingredients gently, stirring until just combined to maintain the cake’s tender crumb, then delicately incorporate shredded carrots, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts, and optional raisins.
5. Distribute the batter evenly across prepared pans, ensuring smooth surfaces, and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, monitoring with a toothpick test for doneness.
6. Allow the cake to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transition to wire cooling racks, enabling complete temperature reduction before frosting.
7. Craft the cream cheese frosting by whipping butter and cream cheese until velvety, gradually introducing powdered sugar, vanilla, and a subtle salt accent for balanced flavor.
8. Transform the cooled cake layers into an elegant dessert by spreading frosting between and around the cake, creating smooth surfaces and optionally garnishing with additional nuts or carrot shreds.

Notes

• Swap vegetable oil with applesauce or mashed banana for a healthier, lower-fat version that keeps the cake moist and tender.
• Use gluten-free flour blend to make this cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring the texture remains soft and delicious.
• Toast chopped nuts before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Consider reducing sugar by 25% and adding extra spices like cardamom or allspice to boost flavor without compromising the cake’s sweetness.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg